Recombinant human rotavirus VP7 serotype 4

ABSTRACT

An isolated gene encoding all or part of the VP7 protein of human rotavirus serotype 4 is claimed. Also claimed in a DNA transfer vector which contains the gene or a portion or sub-unit and a host cell contg. the DNA transfer vector.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 07/899,216, filed on Jun. 16, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,698 which is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 07/473,959 filed on Feb. 6, 1990, now abandoned corresponding to International Application PCT/AU88/00298, filed on Aug. 10, 1988 and which designated the U.S.

The present invention relates to a human rotavirus gene encoding the major outer capsid glycoprotein (VP7) of human rotavirus serotype 4. The invention further relates to sub-units of said gene, protein products thereof, diagnostic reagents and vaccines.

Rotaviruses have been shown to be the single most important cause of infantile gastroenteritis (1) and are also important pathogens in many animal species, particularly calves and piglets. In many third world countries rotavirus infection causes significant infant mortality. The World Health Organization has recommended that a vaccine against human rotavirus be developed as soon as possible (2).

At present, five serotypes of human rotavirus are known (3, 4) and it has previously been shown that the virus serotype is determined by the major outer capsid glycoprotein VP7 (also called gp34) (5-9). A vaccine effective against rotaviral infection may require representative viruses or VP7 protein antigens of all known serotypes in order to elicit protective immunity against all human serotypes (10) due to the poor cross reactivity of VP7 protein antigens.

The present invention arises from the isolation and characterization of a human rotavirus VP7 gene corresponding to human rotavirus serotype 4.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an isolated gene which encodes all or part of the major outer capsid glycoprotein (VP7) of human rotavirus serotype 4.

The gene encoding the serotype 4 VP7 may be in the form of double or single stranded DNA or RNA.

In particular, in this aspect of the invention, there is provided a gene corresponding to or containing the nucleotide sequence set out in FIG. 1 hereof, or a portion or sub-unit of said sequence. The reference to a portion or sub-unit of the nucleotide sequence of FIG. 1 refers to any DNA sequence (or corresponding RNA sequence) within that sequence which encodes a polypeptide capable of eliciting antibodies in a host animal which bind to the VP7 protein of human serotype 4. In particular, this includes one or more of the A(nucleotides 307-336), B(nucleotides 481-498) and C(nucleotides 679-717) regions of FIG. 1. The A, B and C regions may be ligated to one another to form, for example, an A-B hybrid or B-C hybrid. Such hybrid molecules are included within the scope of the present invention.

The isolated gene encoding all or part of the VP7 protein of human serotype 4 may be inserted into an appropriate expression vector, such as a bacterial plasmid, SV40, adenovirus or phage DNA, for expression of the corresponding polypeptide in host cells (including bacterial or yeast and other eukaryotic host cells) containing these vectors or derivatives thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an expression vector containing a gene encoding all or part of the VP7 protein of human rotavirus serotype 4. Additionally, there are provided host cells containing such a vector.

Depending upon the type of expression vector utilised, the VP7 protein or a sub-unit thereof may accumulate in a host cell, be excreted from the host cell, e.g. into a culture medium, or may accumulate in the outer membrane of the host cell or on the cell surface of the host cell. The use of expression vectors which include appropriate portions of genes encoding outer membrane proteins of prokaryotes, such as E. coli or Salmonella, will result in expression of the desired protein product in or at the cell surface. Examples of such vectors are those based on the LamB, TraT, OmpA, phoE or OmpB genes of E. coli (23, 24 and 32 to 34). Using such vectors, the VP7 protein may be expressed at the cell surface as a fusion protein with an outer-membrane protein.

The polypeptides encoded by the gene, or a portion or sub-unit thereof in accordance with the present invention may form the basis of successful vaccines against rotaviral infections.

In one method of vaccine production, the isolated gene, or a portion or sub-unit thereof, in accordance with the present invention may be inserted into an expression vector, which is then transfected into host bacteria or yeast cells can then be used in large scale production of the corresponding polypeptides. The polypeptides can then be recovered and used as vaccines. Alternatively, and more preferably, the gene, or a portion or sub-unit thereof, in accordance with the present invention may be inserted into an expression vector, and then transfected into a microorganism which subsequently expresses the protein products on, or in association with, the cell surface as previously described. Suitable microorganisms include E. coli and Salmonella strains, and in particular, Salmonella strain Ty21A. Suitable microorganisms expressing the major VP7 protein of human rotavirus serotype 4 or portions thereof on the cell surface will, on administration, enter the intestine, invade the lining of the gut, normally through gut-associated lymphoid tissue such as the Payers patches, causing the production of protective antibodies in situ.

Alternatively, a vaccine may comprise the isolated gene, or a portion or sub-unit thereof, in accordance with the present invention, inserted into a viral vector such as adenovirus or vaccinia.

Bacterial or viral vaccines may employ bacteria or viruses dispersed in a pharmaceutical diluent such as a liquid suitable for oral administration. Alternatively the bacteria or viruses may be freeze dried and administered in a solid form.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vaccine comprising one or more polypeptides corresponding to all or part of the VP7 protein of human rotavirus serotype 4 or, bacteria having said one or more such polypeptides on or in association with their cell surface, or a viral vector, such as adenovirus, which express said one or more such polypeptides. The vaccine may include one or more adjuvants or pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a protein or peptide comprising or containing the peptide sequence of the VP7 protein of human rotavirus serotype 4, or a portion thereof. In particular, in this aspect of the invention, there is provided a polypeptide comprising or containing the peptide sequence set out in FIG. 1 or a portion thereof which contains one or more of regions A, B and C of FIG. 1.

Polypeptides corresponding to the VP7 protein of human rotavirus serotype 4 or part thereof, may be directly synthesized by known peptide synthetic methods (25). Alternatively, such polypeptides may be prepared by expression of the gene encoding the VP7 or part thereof in a host cell.

The reference to part of the protein sequence shown in FIG. 1 refers to a peptide which is capable of eliciting antibodies in a host animal which bind to the VP7 protein of human rotavirus serotype 4.

The protein sequences corresponding to regions A, B and C of the DNA sequences shown in FIG. 1 represent important entigenic regions involved in antibody neutralisation. This has been shown in previous work on the VP7 protein of SAll (monkey) rotaviruses (13). Within a serotype, the amino acid sequences corresponding to the regions A, B and C are highly conserved. Between serotypes, these regions are different, and these differences produce the antigenic properties of VP7 which distinguish one serotype from another by cross neutralisation tests. Accordingly, DNA or RNA probes corresponding to the A, B or C regions of FIG. 1 or portions thereof, may be used to determine the serotype of a rotavirus isolate or sample. For example, a synthetic oligonucleotide corresponding to the A region of FIG. 1 may be produced by standard chemical procedures (15), labelled with ³² P or other isotopic or non-isotopic label, and hybridized with nucleic acids of a rotavirus isolate or sample. If binding is detected, the rotavirus isolate represents serotype 4 as the A region of FIG. 1 is conserved only in this serotype.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for detecting the presence of serotype 4 human rotavirus in a sample which comprises hybridizing nucleic acids of the rotavirus sample with a labelled nucleic acid probe corresponding or complementary to at least one of the A, B or C regions of FIG. 1 or a portion of such regions, and detecting whether binding of said nucleic acid probe to nucleic acids in the rotavirus sample has occurred. Such methods may be carried out in solution, or on a solid phase, utilizing standard conditions of hybridization (16).

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for detecting human rotavirus of the type 4 serotype comprising one or more nucleic acid probes corresponding to the A, B or C regions of FIG. 1 or portions thereof, which may be labelled with a detectable marker, together with appropriate buffers and/or solutions for carrying out assays for detecting binding of said nucleic acids to rotavirus nucleic acids.

The gene encoding human rotavirus serotype 4 or a portion or sub-unit thereof, is not restricted to the specific DNA sequences shown in FIG. 1 or the equivalent RNA sequence, but rather includes variants of such a sequence where nucleotides have been substituted, added to or deleted from the sequence shown in FIG. 1, with the proviso that these variants encode proteins having substantially the same antigenicity and host protective ability as the major outer capsid glycoprotein of serotype 4, or portions thereof. Similarly, the polypeptide sequence shown in FIG. 1 may have amino acids added, substituted or deleted with the same proviso as above.

The term "polypeptide" used herein includes a polypeptide bearing one or more carbohydrate moieties.

The invention will now be further illustrated with reference to the following non-limiting Examples and Figure.

FIG. 1 shows the nucleotide sequence of a gene encoding the VP7 protein of human rotavirus serotype 4 and the deduced protein sequence thereof. Nucleotides have been numbered from the 5' end, and amino acids numbered from the amino terminal end, consistent with previous publications (9). Potential glycosylation sites are marked with an asterix.

EXAMPLE 1 Materials and Methods

Human Rotavirus ST3 was obtained from Dr. T. H. Flewett, East Birmingham Hospital, U.K. This rotavirus strain was first isolated in the United Kingdom in 1975, and is widely available.

DNA Sequencing

Sequences were determined from the M13 ss DNA template according to the Sanger Chain termination method (22).

RNA sequencing was carried out according to the method of Karanthanasis (26). Briefly, an oligonucleotide primer having the sequence 5'GCTTCIGITGGATAATA3' (corresponding to nucleotides 300-315 of clone ST3 16) was annealed to RNA (1-10 mg) isolated from human rotavirus ST3 (according to methods described hereinafter). The sequence of the RNA was then determined according to the Sanger Chain termination method (22).

Identification of cDNA encoding human serotype 4 VP7

The ST3 virus was grown in cell culture, purified and RNA extracted as described previously (9 and 12). Briefly, virus particles were treated with 10 ug/ml trypsin at room temperature for 15 minutes and innoculated with MA104 cells (18) which were washed to remove fetal calf serum (FCS). Virus was allowed to absorb for 1 hour at 37° C. After incubation for 3 days in the presence of gentamycin, the cells were disrupted with Arklone (ICI chemicals) and viruses particles separated by centrifugation (75 min at 27G). The virus particles were then layered onto a 60%-30% glycerol gradient and centrifuged for 1-2 hours at 25K. Virus particles were harvested from the gradient, and sedimented by centrifugation in a solution of Tris-HCl/saline/calcium (50 mm Tris pH 7.4, 2 mm CaCl₂, 0.15 m NaCl). The virus pellet was resuspended in Tris-HCl/saline/calcium and 50% glycerol.

The virus particles were extracted with phenol/chloroform (1:1) and RNA was precipitated with Na Acetate:ethanol (1:2.5) according to the methods of Maniatis (19).

RNA was recovered by precipitation and resuspended in stock solution A (100 mM Tris HCl pH 8.0; 20 mM Mg Acetate; 50 mM NaCl; 1 mg/m/BSA; 2 mM DTT and 5 mM MnCl₂). The RNA solution was denatured at 100° C. for 5 minutes, snap chilled on ice, and then incubated with polynucleotide transferase (1-2 units) and 10 mM ribose ATP (rATP) for 1 hour at 37° C. to poly A tail the RNA. The reaction was terminated with EDTA, extracted with phenol/chloroform and precipitated with Na Acetate/ethanol. The precipitate was recovered by centrifugation prior to cDNA synthesis.

cDNA Synthesis

The poly A tailed RNA was heat denatured (100° C., 5 min) and reversed transcribed in the presence of oligo-dT according to Maniatis (19). The RNA template was hydrolysed in the presence of EDTA (65° C. for 30 min) end NaOH (130 mM). The mixture was neutralised with 1M Tris-HCl pH 8.0, extracted with phenol/chloroform and chromatographed on sephadex G-50 (Pharmacia, Uppsala Sweden) to remove free deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTP's). The resultant single stranded DNA was recovered by precipitation, resuspended in annealing buffer (0.15M NaCl) and then incubated under annealing conditions (100° C. for 2 min, 70° C. for 20 min, then 57° C. for 1 hour). The annealed double-stranded DNA was precipitated, resuspended in DDW (deionized distilled water) and end repaired with T4 DNA polymerase according to Maniatis (19). The DNA was recovered by centrifugation, resuspended in DDW and fractionated by electrophoresis in a 1% agarose gel. DNA having a molecular weight of 1.1 Kb (corresponding to VP7-Dyall-Smith (6)) was recovered according to the procedure of Maniatis (19). Homopolymeric tails of dC (deoxycytidine) were then added using terminal transferase (19). The C-tailed DNA was then annealed to dG-tailed pBR 322 (19).

E-coli MC 106 (20) was then transformed with the ds cDNA-pBR322 preparation and transformants containing hybrid plasmids were selected by screening for resistance to tetracycline and sensitivity to ampicillin (19).

Identification of VP7 Containing Colonies

Colonies were streaked onto a nylon membrane (Nylon-N, Amersham) add incubated on an agar plate containing tetracycline, 15 ug/ml, and incubated at 37° C. overnight. Colonies were lysed with 1.5M NaCl/0.5M NaOH and then neutralised with 1.5M NaCl/0.5M Tris-HCl, pH 7.2, 0.1M EDTA. Membranes were washed with 2× SSC (19) and fixed onto the membrane using a U.V. light source. The membrane was prehybridized according to standard procedures (19) and then hybridised with segment 9 of Wa ds RNA (21) labelled with ³² P according to the methods of Maniatis (19). Colonies which hybridised with the labelled probe (as detected by autoradiography) were isolated, grown up in L-Broth and plasmid DNA recovered according to standard procedures (19). Clones which hybridised with the probe were analysed for insert size by agarose gel electrophoresis, and inserts were recovered following incubation with Pstl and electrophoresis on a 1% agarose gel. Two clones, ST3 16 and ST3 65 were selected for further characterisation. The nucleotide sequence of the VP7 insert of these clones was determined by the method of Sanger (22).

By reference to known human VP7 sequences (9), clone ST3 16 was shown to begin at nucleotide 136 and end at nucleotide 652. Clone ST3 65 starts at nucleotide 394 and ends at nucleotide 1062.

The sequence of clones ST3 16 and ST3 65 share a common sequence of 258 nucleotides, that is, nucleotides 394 to 652 of the serotype 4 VP7 sequence. This common sequence contains a unique Ssp1 site at nucleotide 407, which was used to construct a cDNA clone which extended from nucleotides 136 to 1062 of the VP7 sequence. The combined clone, hereafter referred to as ST3 90, was prepared by firstly cleaving ST3 16 with Ssp1. Clone ST3 65 was also cleaved with Ssp1, and the C-terminal fragment from one Ssp1 digestion was isolated by electrophoresis. The C-terminal fragment from ST3 65 was then ligated to the Ssp1 fragment from ST3 16 to form ST3 90 which as set out above extends from nucleotides 136 to 1062. The nucleotide and deduced protein sequence of clone ST3 90 insert is set out in FIG. 1 at nucleotides 136 to 1062. The 5' untranslated sequence and the sequence of nucleotides 1 through 136 were determined by RNA sequencing (26). The deduced protein sequence of the human rotavirus type 4 serotype is also shown. Potential glycosylation sites are shown with an asterix. The VP7 of serotype 4 is shown by FIG. 1 to consist of 326 amino acids.

Important antigenic regions A, B and C (FIG. 1) have been deduced from their nucleotide sequence, and by comparison with the VP7 genes of other human serotypes (13, 14). The A region corresponds to nucleotides 307-336; the B region corresponds to nucleotides 481-498; and the C region corresponds to nucleotides 679-717 of the gene sequence of FIG. 2. Each of these regions are underlined in FIG. 1.

The VP7 gene of the ST3 virus corresponding to the human type 4 serotype shares significant homology with previously published VP7 sequences (9, 11), but differs significantly in the nucleotide and protein sequences of antigenic regions A, B and C.

cDNA clone ST3 90 was cloned into the plasmid vector pBR322. For expression of the VP7 protein, the ST3 90 cDNA may be inserted into an appropriate expression vector according to standard procedures (19).

We can combine the VP7 gene of ST3 with other genes such as the lacZ gene of E. coli or outer membrane protein genes from E. coli to give a chimeric gene which will give rise to a fusion protein which is part rotavirus protein and part bacterial protein. We call for example use plasmid pPR930, which contains a functional lacZ gene with sites at its 5' end suitable for inserting coding regions of genes such as the VP7 gene of the ST3 virus. The plasmid pPR930 contains the Bam H1 to Sal1, LacZ containing fragment of pMC1403, ligated between the BamH1 and Sal1 sites of pUC18 to give a plasmid in which the lacZ gene is expressed from the lac promoter of pUC18, and the EcoR1, Sst1, Kpn1, Sma1, BamH1 part of the pUC18 polylinker lies within the 5' end of the functional lacZ gene.

EXAMPLE 2 Expression of the VP7 Protein of Human Serotype 4

(i) cDNA clone ST3 90 was digested with Pst1 and the VP7 fragment corresponding to nucleotides 136-1062 was isolated by agarose gel electrophoresis (19). This fragment was digested with Ndel (Ndel site between nucleotides 245 and 259) and end-filled with the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase 1. 8 mer EcoR1 linkers were ligated on to this fragment which was then cleaved with EcoR1. This 810 bp fragment was ligated into the plasmid vector pUC18 (28) which had been digested with EcoR1 and PstI. The ligation mix was then transformed into E. coli strain JM101 (28) made competent by the method of Dagert and Ehrlich (27).

The resulting clones are in the correct reading frame at the N-terminal end, but out of frame at the C-terminal end. Clones were selected on IPTG/X-gal ((Z9), IPTG at 20 mg/ml; X-gal at 25 mg/ml) agar plates. White colonies, that is, colonies which contain a DNA insert, were selected. Selected clones were cut with Pst 1 and then treated with Bal 31 nuclease (Boehringer, 3 units, 20 seconds; buffer: 12 mM CaCl₂, 2 mM, MgCl₂, 200 mM NaCl, 20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 1 mM EDTA) to remove nucleotides from the C-terminal end of the ST3 90 insert. The C-terminal end was end repaired with the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase 1 to give a flush end. The DNA was then digested with ECo R1 and the ST3 90 insert recovered by agarose gel electrophoresis. The insert was then ligated into the plasmid vector pPR 930 (30) which had been digested with EcoR1/Sma1. The resultant clones have a 1 in 3 chance of being in-frame at the C-terminal. In one experiment 60 clones were obtained. These clones were then checked for expression of the serotype 4 VP7 or part thereof using an immuno-colony blot and Western blot (31). In these techniques, colonies are lysed with a lysis agent, and the liberated proteins fixed onto a support matrix such as nitrocellulose. The support matrix is then probed with a rabbit antiserum against ST3 rotavirus containing antibodies directed against human rotavirus VP7, and antibody binding subsequently detected. Plasmid DNA is prepared from those colonies which react with the anti-VP7 antisera. The inserts encoding the serotype 4 VP7 are then recovered by digestion with EcoR1 and Bam H1, for ligation into other expression vectors.

(ii) Clone ST3 90 was cut with Pstl and the ST3 90 insert was recovered by gel electrophoresis, cut with Nde 1, end filled with the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I. This fragment was ligated into SmaI cut pUC18 (an expression plasmid (28)) and transformed into E. coli strain JM101 (28). Clones containing the ST3 90 insert were selected as white colonies on IPTG/X-gal agar plates. The inserts were in the correct reading frame at the N-terminal end and out of frame at the C-terminus. A selected clone was then digested with BamHI, end filled with the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I, cut with Eco R1, and the resulting fragment ligated into the plasmid pPR 930, which had been digested with EcoRI/SmaI. The recombinant pPR 631 plasmid was then transformed into JM101.

The resultant clones contain VP7 inserts which are in frame at both the C and N-terminal ends. Clones which contained the ST3 90 insert were detected as white colonies on an IPTG/X-gal agar plate. These clones were then tested for the expression of VP7 by reaction with antisera directed against the VP7 of human serotype 4. The insert, which is now in frame at both the N and C-terminal ends of the VP7, is isolated by digestion with EcoRI/SmaI. This fragment is then ready for cloning into a vector, such as the Lam B expression vector (23), which will express the VP7 on or in association with the cell surface of a microorganism such as Salmonella.

In Examples 1 and 2, all methods; ligation conditions, restriction enzyme conditions, and enzyme reactions are according to Maniatis (19).

REFERENCES

1. Holmes, I. H., Rotaviruses. in "The Reoviridae" Ed. W. K. Joklik. Plenum, Chpt. 8: 395-399.

2. Bull. W. H. O. (1983) 61: 251-254.

3. Hoshino Y., Wyatt, R. G., Greenberg, H. B., Flores, J. and Kapikian, A. Z. (1984) J. Infect. Dis. 149: 694-702.

4. Albert, M. J., Unicomb, L. E., Tzipori, S. R. and Bishop, R. F., Arch. Virol. 93: 123-130.

5. Kalica, A. R., Greenberg, H. B., Wyatt, R. G., Flores, J., Sereno, M. M., Kapikian, A. Z. and Chanock, R. M. (1981) Virology 112: 385-390.

6. Dyall-Smith, M. L., Azad, A. A. and Holmes, I. H. (1983) J. Virol. 46: 317-320.

7. Kantharidis, P., Dyall-Smith, M. L. and Holmes, I. H. (1983) J. Virol. 48: 330-334.

8. Sonza, S., Breschkin, A. M. and Holmes, I. H. (1983) J. Virol. 45: 1143-1146.

9. Dyall-Smith, M. L. and Holmes, I. H. (1984) Nucleic Acids Res. 12: 3973-3982.

10. Gaul, S. K., Simpson, T. F., Woode, G. N. and Fulton, R. W. (1982) J. Clin. Micro 16: 495-503.

11. Richardson, M. A., Iwamoto, A., Ikegami, N., Nomoto, A. and Furuichi, Y. (1984) J. Virol. 51: 860-862.

12. Wyatt, R. G., James, H. D., Pitman, A. L., Hoshino, Y., Greenberg, H. B., Kalica, A. R., Flores, J. and Kapikian, A. Z. (1983) J. Clin. Micro. 18: 310-317.

13. Dyall-Smith, M. L., Lazdins, I., Tregear G. W. and Holmes, I. H. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 83: 3465-3468.

14. Both, G. W., Matlick, J. S. and Bellamy, A. R. (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 80: 3091-3095.

15. Rigby, P. W. S., Diekman, M., Rhodes C. and Berg, P., (1977) J. Mol. Biol. 113, 237-251.

16. Nucleic Acid Hybridization; A practical approach, Ed. Hames, B. D. & Higgins, S. J. (1985) p.91-111, IRL Press Oxford.

17. I.P.V. AC--IUB Commission on Biochemical Nomenclature, (1968) Eur. J. Bio, 5, 151-153.

18. Dyall-Smith, M. L and Holmes, l. H (1981) J. Virol. 38, 1099-1103.

19. Molecular Cloning; A laboratory manual, Maniatis, T., Fritsch, E. F and Sambrook, J. (1982) Cold Spring Harbour.

20. Casadaban, M. J. and Cohen, S. N (1980) J. Mol. Biol. 138: 179-207.

21. Dyall-Smith, M. L., Elleman, T. C., Hoyne, P. A., Holmes, I. H., and Azad, A. A. (1983). Nucleic Acids Res, 10: 3351-3362.

22. Sanger, F., Nicklen, S and Coulson, A. R. (1977) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 74. 5463-5467.

23. Charbit, A., Boulan, J. C., Ryter, A. and Hoffnung, M. (1986) EMBO 5: 3029-3037.

24. European Patent Application No. 81306190.

25. Atherton, R. and Sheppard, R. C. (1985) J. Chem. Soc. Commun. 165-166.

26. Karanthanasis, P. (1982) Focus 4, 6-7.

27. Dagert, M., Ehrlich, S.D. (1979) Gene 6: 23-28.

28. Yanische-Perron, C., Viera, J. and Messing, J. (1985) Gene 33: 103-119.

29. Experiments in Molecular Genetics Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory, Cold springs Harbour (1972) Miller, J. H.

30. Casadaban, M. J., Martinez-Amas, A., Shapira, S. K., and Chuo, J. Methods in Enzymology, 100: 293-308.

31. Kemp, D. J. and Cowman, A. F. (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 78: 4520-4524.

32. Charbit, A., Subczak, E., Michel, M. L., Moller A., Tiollais, P., and Hoffnung M. (1987) J. of Immunol 139: 1658-1664.

33. Agterberg, M., Adriaanse, H., and Tommassen J. (1987) Gene 59: 145-150.

34. Tommassen J., and de Kroon, T. (1987) FEBS 221: 226-230. 

We claim:
 1. A polypeptide having a sequence of the VP7 protein of human rotavirus serotype
 4. 2. A polypeptide comprising at least one of regions A, B and C of FIG.
 1. 3. A polypeptide comprising a sequence of the VP7 protein of human rotavirus serotype 4 and protein subunits thereof wherein said protein subunits comprise at least one of regions A, B and C of FIG. 1 and wherein said subunits elicit antibodies in a host animal which antibodies bind to the VP7 protein of human serotype
 4. 